Recycling at Every NYCHA Development

The Authority recently crossed one major item off its New Year’s resolution list: bring recycling bins and Department of Sanitation (DSNY) recycling pickup to every single NYCHA development. NYCHA achieved this milestone in December 2016, giving more than 400,000 residents the ability to foster a healthier, cleaner, and greener planet by recycling.

As part of NextGeneration NYCHA efforts to create safe, clean, and connected communities and transform the Authority into a more sustainable organization, NYCHA launched a recycling action plan in February 2015. Two developments started recycling in May 2015; since then, staff have worked with residents and partners like the DSNY, GrowNYC, Green City Force, and NYC Service to bring recycling to all 328 developments.

That was no small task. About 1,500 recycling bins (and 800 concrete pads to support them) were installed across the City. More than 1,400 NYCHA employees, including development staff, were trained on recycling procedures. Nearly 12,000 residents from every development learned about recycling through hundreds of kick-off meetings and special events, including those specifically for youth and seniors. 

Pamela Azore is one of 23 residents training with the non-profit organization GrowNYC to become “Environmental Ambassadors” and spread the word about recycling to their neighbors as volunteers.

“Our Resident Green Committee (RGC) is a small group that does big things,” said Ms. Azore, captain of the RGC at her development, Pomonok Houses. “When I was introduced to recycling, I realized it had to happen. My daughter, my husband – we all recycle. I love the bins. I’ve already put up a sticker saying, ‘The bins are here, please recycle.’”

GrowNYC is looking for new volunteers to become Environmental Ambassadors. After completing two 2-hour workshops (see the sidebar), Ambassadors complete 12 hours of outreach in their community to encourage their neighbors to recycle.

You can learn more about the recycling effort at NYCHA’s website (www.nyc.gov/nycha).